Kulyakartu is a large area in the far north of the Martu homelands, near the Percival Lakes region of Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert. Kulyakartu is mostly flat grass Country, and is known as a good hunting area. In particular, parnajarrpa (goanna), wild cats, and lunki (witchetty grub) are found in abundance here. In the wantajarra (wet season) the dry lakes in the region fill with water.
Name: Helena Butt
Community: Bidyadanga
Biography:
“I was painting mostly around my dad. I seen my dad painting at Mangkaja (arts centre) at Fitzroy Crossing, and going out bush, and seeing places, and putting it down on canvas. Sometimes I paint before I see it. I didn’t think I could (paint) but I found that I had something in me. You got it in you, you hear that little voice, you have that, you have to find it for yourself. I did a small one (painting) the first time and then I kept going."
- Helena Butt
Helena was born in Derby in the West Australian Kimberly, and currently resides in Bidyadanga. She frequently visits Parnngurr Community where her Grandmother’s side of the family resides. Helena started painting in her thirties – having believed she was not artistic earlier in life – but she has quickly found and refined her style. She uses heavy blending and big brushwork to capture her ancestral homelands Kulyakartu.
Kulyakartu is located in the far north of the Martu homelands near the Percival Lakes region of Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert. Helena often captures this landscape across the seasons.
Jilji “This one near my countryside. It’s kayili (north) of my Country. Big one Jilji. Lots of tuwa (sandhills). My nana mili (denotes ownership) Country, mama mili, daddy mili Country. They walk around there, get kuwiyi (meat). The old people would cook ’em up! This a pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) Read more…
Waterholes This work depicts a waterhole within the artists’ ngurra (home Country, camp), typically represented with circular forms. Waterholes are sites that require maintenance, including digging to increase flow, clearing out surrounding growth, and cleaning Read more…
Waterholes This work depicts a waterhole within the artists’ ngurra (home Country, camp), typically represented with circular forms. Waterholes are sites that require maintenance, including digging to increase flow, clearing out surrounding growth, and cleaning Read more…